The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-12-15

are our countrymen in mood to con-
done the deliberate violation OF these
pledges
Our progress toward a wise conclu-
sion will not be improved by dwelling
upon the theories OF protection and
free trade, This savors too much of
bandying epithets. 1t is a condition
which conirOnts us-not theory.
Relief from this condition may involve
a slight reduction of the advantages
which we award our home produc.
tions, but the entire withdrawal Of
such advantages should not he con
templated. The question of free trade
is absolutely irrelevant; and the per-
sistent claim made in certain quar-
ters, that all efforts to relieve the peo.
pie OF an unjust and unnecessary tax
alton are schemes of so-called free
traders, is mischievous and far remov-
ed from any consideration
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.
The simple and plain duty which we
owe the people is to reduce taxation
to the necessary expenses OF an econo-
micai operation Of the Government,
and to restore to the business OF the
country the money which we hold in
the treasury through the perversion of
Governmental powers. These things
can and should be done with safety to
all our industries, without danger to
the opportunity for remunerativs la
Dor which our working men need, and
with benefit to them and all oul peo-
pie by expanding their means of sub
sistancS and increasing the measure
Of their comforts.
The Constitution provides that the
President shall from time to time give
to the Congress information of the
state OF the Uuion. 1t has been the
custom ofthe Executive, in compliance
with this provision, to annually exhb-
it To the Congress at the opening
OF its session, the general condition Of
the country, and to detail, with some
particularly the operations Of the
DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
1t would be especially agreeable to
follow this course at the present time,
and to call attention to the valuable
accomplishments of those deartments
during the last fiscal year, But | am
40 much impressed with the para.
mount importance OF the subject to
which this communication has thus
far been devoted, that | shall forego
the addition of any other topic, and
only urge upon your immediate con-
sideration the "State of the Union" as
shown in the present condition of our
Treasury and our general fiscal situa-
ton, upon which every element of our
safety and prosperity depends.
The reports of the heads of depart
ments, which will be submitted con-
tain full and explicit information
touching the transaction of the bust
ness intrusted to them and such rec
concentrations relating to legislation
in the public interest as the deem ad-
visable. | ask for these reports and
recommendations the deliberate ex-
animation and action OF the legislative
branch of the Government.
There are other subjects not en-
hraced in the departmental reports de-
manding Legislative consideration, and
which | should be glad to submit.
Some of them, however, have been
earnestly presented in previous mes
sages, and as to them Ibeg leave to re-
peat prior recommendations
AS the law makes no provision for
any report from the Department of
state, brief history of the transac,
tons of that important department,
together with matters which it is here
after deemed essential to commend to
the attention of the Congress, may
furnish the occasion for q future com,
munication. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 6.